Trying something new- AR lower build

[Bozz10mm]

I just wanted to see if I can do it. Bought a PSA stripped lower last month. Then ordered a PSA complete lower parts kit. And of course, I had to get a castle nut wrench. All told, it would have been cheaper just to buy the finished product. Ah, but that would be boring.

Only got one thing installed yesterday, the trigger guard. In my head it's going to be a piece of cake to finish this thing. Hope I'm right. Still have a bunch of parts to install.

 

[easy rider]

I just wanted to see if I can do it. Bought a PSA stripped lower last month. Then ordered a PSA complete lower parts kit. And of course, I had to get a castle nut wrench. All told, it would have been cheaper just to buy the finished product. Ah, but that would be boring.

Only got one thing installed yesterday, the trigger guard. In my head it's going to be a piece of cake to finish this thing. Hope I'm right. Still have a bunch of parts to install.
View attachment 201283

It's a gateway drug!

 

[Sam7sf]

You got your vice block and starter/roll pin punch?

 

[DoubleDuty]

Yep like with potato chips

 

[Bozz10mm]

You got your vice block and starter/roll pin punch?

Yeah, had to buy one of those vice blocks. I have a roll pin starter and punch from a previous bolt catch replacement that I did. I will be installing an enhanced bolt catch from Strike Industries in lieu of the one that came with the kit.
Also bought a tool for installing the front pivot pin.

 

[Big Green]

If you’re only building one you can do it without the specific tools and overall it’s cheap. Tools with one lower it’s a little pricier. If you start building many, they get cheap as you’ve already invested in the tools and spread the cost out.

Best thing would be to buy a dozen so you get plenty of practice.

 

[easy rider]

What gets expensive is when you decide to upgrade and then you find a better upgrade then the last.

 

[jeepinbanditrider]

Once you've done a few you can have a lower together in about 20 minutes. I invested in a BEV BLOCK and a few other tools that make AR (and other gun) work easier over all.

Armorers wrench(s). Roll pin starter punches (they're hollow on the end to hold the pin for you, brass/polymer hammer, good roll pin punches, the tools to make the take down pins easier to install and the flat sided punches that make putting the bolt catch in easier.

These tools arent necessiarly needed. I've banged a few together using a roll of tape as an armorer's block and hammer and some makeshift punches. But they make the job that much easier and smoother.

 

[easy rider]

Once you've done a few you can have a lower together in about 20 minutes. I invested in a BEV BLOCK and a few other tools that make AR (and other gun) work easier over all.

Armorers wrench(s). Roll pin starter punches (they're hollow on the end to hold the pin for you, brass/polymer hammer, good roll pin punches, the tools to make the take down pins easier to install and the flat sided punches that make putting the bolt catch in easier.

These tools arent necessiarly needed. I've banged a few together using a roll of tape as an armorer's block and hammer and some makeshift punches. But they make the job that much easier and smoother.

Yeah, I've found tools that I forgot I had bought, usually after I could have used them.

 

[Byrd666]

Nine times out of nine I do just that.

The tenth time is almost like winning.......something

 

[zackmars]

Three best things you can get

This; https://www.primaryweapons.com/product-url-6669

This; https://radianweapons.com/accessories/talon/talon-ambidextrous-safety-selector-2-lever-kit-ar15

And this

https://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com/shop/product/bad-eps-bad-eps-enhanced-pin-set-ar15-3211


They just make everything easier

 

[zackmars]

Also, never use a magwell vise block when installing/tourqing the buffer tube.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Also, never use a magwell vise block when installing/tourqing the buffer tube.

Uh what? That's the main reason I bought it. How do I do it then?

 

[zackmars]

Uh what? That's the main reason I bought it. How do I do it then?

You put too much tourqe, and you can bring the magwell out of square.

Either get a buddy to hold it, or get a vise block meant to secure the buffer tube.

 

[Bozz10mm]

You put too much tourqe, and you can bring the magwell out of square.

Either get a buddy to hold it, or get a vise block meant to secure the buffer tube.

Do I stake the castle nut or loktite it?

Edit: Never mind. Ordered a PWS ratcheting castle nut

 

[zackmars]

Do I stake the castle nut or loktite it?

You are supposed to stake it, in 2 locations.

I don't even use regular castle nuts anymore, the PWS system just needs to be torqued.

From what i recall, you are supposed to put a bit of aeroshell grease on the threads to prevent corrosion

 

[Bozz10mm]

Already upgrading. Just ordered a Primary Weapons System ratchet castle nut and end plate set. Wing Tactical had the best price after shipping. Optics Planet was ridiculous with their $8 for shipping plus sales tax. Overall, Wing Tactical was 8 bucks cheaper.

 

[Geezer]

The 5th one goes together much faster.
I just use channel locks to "squeeze" the bolt catch roll pin into place.

 

[jeepinbanditrider]

If you put enough torque on a buffer tube castle nut to warp the magwell maybe cut back on the "ugga duggas" a bit. By the book the castle nut should be torqued to 40 ft lbs. And staked. I rarely stake them. Typically I just locktite them in place and have yet to have one come loose on me.

FWIW I properly torque the castle nut and have never bent or warped a magwell using a magwell block.

 

[zackmars]

If you put enough torque on a buffer tube castle nut to warp the magwell maybe cut back on the "ugga duggas" a bit. By the book the castle nut should be torqued to 40 ft lbs. And staked. I rarely stake them. Typically I just locktite them in place and have yet to have one come loose on me.

FWIW I properly torque the castle nut and have never bent or warped a magwell using a magwell block.

I've seen it, twice. Some mags like USGI would still drop free, but mags like magpul wouldn't.


Its just best to not take the risk